Heading into this season,a championship didn\u2019t seem like a realistic goal for the Boston Celtics. Not only had they lost a ton of talent over the summer, but they were also going to be without their best player, Jayson Tatum, for most of the season.<\/p>\n
From the outside, many thought the Celtics would be lucky to make the playoffs.<\/p>\n
On the inside, however, Boston\u2019s goals and standards never changed. Despite being shorthanded, the Celtics are still determined to go all the way this year.<\/p>\n
Just ask Neemias Queta.<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah, obviously \u2014 we play for the Celtics. Anything else other than a championship, it\u2019s not going to go. We\u2019re not happy with it,\u201d Queta told Noa Dalzell<\/a> following Boston\u2019s 119-104 home win<\/a> over the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n Neemias Queta said Joe Mazzulla stresses the Celtics have to find different ways to win if they want to be a championship team, so I asked him if internally, they still frequently refer to a championship as the goal: <\/p>\n \u201cYeah, obviously \u2014 we play for the Celtics. Anything else\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/6XIZBbnftg<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Noa Dalzell \ud83c\udfc0 (@NoaDalzell) January 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n The victory improved the Celtics\u2019 record to 27-16, good for second in the Eastern Conference.<\/p>\n Queta is in his third season with Boston and won a ring there two years ago, so he knows the drill. The Celtics expect to win a championship every year and are always working towards their next title, especially under their maniacal head coach<\/a>, Joe Mazzulla.<\/p>\n Story continues below advertisement<\/p>\n